Security box

Abstract

A device in which to place an article to be retrieved later by an intended recipient employs a container having a forward portion defining a first opening through which to insert an article, a rearward portion defining a second opening through which to retrieve the article, and a size and shape enabling the container to be mounted on a conventional door. The device includes a lockable cover member for limiting access through the first opening, and a bracket for supporting the container adjacent the door by closing the door with the bracket between the door and door frame. The bracket is attached to the container to support the container in a position enabling cover removal for access through the first opening while retaining the rearward portion closely adjacent the door to inhibit access through the second opening. A lip portion of the bracket member engages the door to inhibit removal when the door is closed while enabling removal when the door is open, to thereby enable an intended recipient to retrieve an article by opening the door and removing the container to a position providing access through the second opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device in which to place an article to be retrieved later by an intended recipient, comprising: a container having a first portion defining a first opening through which to insert an article into the container, a second portion defining a second opening through which to retrieve the article from the container, and a size and shape enabling the ccntainer to be mounted on a conventional door;   a first cover member adapted to be locked in place on the container in a position disposed over the first opening, to limit access through the first opening;   support means, including a bracket member having a first end, a second end, and a generally flat midportion disposed intermediate the first and second ends that is shaped and dimensioned to fit between the door and a door frame on which the door is mounted, for providing a support structure with which to mount the container on the door by closing the door with the midportion disposed between the door and the door frame;   mounting means for attaching the first end of the bracket to the container so that with the midportion of the bracket disposed between the door and the door frame, the first opening of the container is disposed in a position enabling placement of an article through the first opening by unlocking the first cover member, and the second opening of the container is disposed closely adjacent to and facing the door in a position inhibiting retrieval of the article through the second opening; and   door engaging means, including a lip portion of the bracket member disposed intermediate the midportion of the bracket and the second end, for engaging the door to inhibit removal of the container when the door is closed while enabling removal when the door is open, to thereby enable an intended recipient to retrieve an article by opening the door and moving the container to a position providing access through the second opening.   
     
     
       2. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising: hinge means for attaching the first cover member to the container so that the first cover member can be moved between an open position enabling access through the first opening and a closed position covering the first opening.   
     
     
       3. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising: locking means, including a key operated lock mechanism attached to the first cover member, for locking the first cover member in a position covering the first opening.   
     
     
       4. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a second cover member adapted to be placed on the container over the second opening, to inhibit access through the second opening.   
     
     
       5. A device as recited in claim 4, further comprising: second hinge means for attaching the second cover member to the container so that the second cover member can be moved between an open position enabling access through the second opening and a closed position covering the second opening.   
     
     
       6. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein: the second hinge means is disposed on an end portion of the container opposite an end portion to which the bracket is attached, to inhibit movement of the second cover member from the closed position when the container is mounted on the door.   
     
     
       7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a box having a size and shape adapted to contain a conventional video cassette.   
     
     
       8. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket member comprises: a generally flat, elongated sheet of material attached to the container, the sheet of material having a U-shaped portion for placement over an edge of the door.   
     
     
       9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket member comprises: a generally flat, elongated sheet of material extending between the first and second ends of the bracket;   a first right angle bend in the sheet generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheet and disposed at a first end of the midportion of the bracket toward the first end of the bracket, to define a first offset portion of the bracket;   a second right angle bend in the sheet generally parallel to the first bend and disposed intermediate the first offset portion and the first end of the bracket, to define a second offset portion of the bracket;   a third right angle bend in the sheet generally parallel to the first bend and disposed intermediate the midportion and the second end of the bracket, to define the lip portion of the bracket member; and   attachment means for attaching the second offset portion to the container.   
     
     
       10. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising: access inhibiting means, including the first offset portion having a size such that the container is retained closely adjacent the door frame, for causing the container to bear against the door frame when the container is moved outwardly from the door so that outward movement and access through the second opening is thereby inhibited.   
     
     
       11. A device in which to place an article to be retrieved later by an intended recipient, comprising: a container having a first portion defining a first opening through which to insert an article into the container, a second portion defining a second opening through which to retrieve the article from the container, and a size and shape enabling the container to be mounted on a conventional door;   a first cover member adapted to be locked in place on the container in a position disposed over the first opening, to limit access through the first opening;   hinge means for attaching the first cover member to the container so that the first cover member can be moved between an open position enabling access through the first opening and a closed position covering the first opening;   locking means, including a key operated lock mechanism attached to the first cover member, for locking the first cover member in a position covering the first opening;   a second cover member adapted to be placed on the container over the second opening, to inhibit access through the second opening;   second hinge means for attaching the second cover member to the container so that the second cover member can be moved between an open position enabling access through the second opening and a closed position covering the second opening;   support means, including a bracket member having a first end, a second end, and a generally flat midportion disposed intermediate the first and second ends that is shaped and dimensioned to fit between the door and a door frame on which the door is mounted, for providing a support structure with which to mount the container on the door by closing the door with the midportion disposed between the door and the door frame;   mounting means for attaching the first end of the bracket to the container so that with the midportion of the bracket disposed between the door and the door frame, the first opening of the container is disposed in a position enabling placement of an article through the first opening into the container by unlocking the first cover member and the second opening of the container is disposed closely adjacent to and facing the door in a position inhibiting retrieval of the article through the second opening; and   door engaging means, including a lip portion of the bracket member disposed intermediate the midportion of the bracket and the second end, for engaging the door to inhibit removal of the container when the door is closed while enabling removal when the door is open, to thereby enable an intended recipient to retrieve an article by opening the door and moving the container to a position providing access through the second opening.